Couple electrocuted in Ballia, FIR against power dept

A couple was electrocuted after coming in touch with a broken electricity wire in their field in Jam village of Ballia district on Thursday morning.

The residents blocked the Ballia-Lucknow Road for more than a couple of hours following the incident.

An FIR has been registered in this connection at Rasara police station.

The power department has handed over two cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of the kin of the victims. They have also been assured of compensation through the Kisan Bima Yojana.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 9.30 am when Chanda Devi (50), a resident of Jam village, had gone to her field to pluck vegetables.

“As she was going about her work, she came in touch with a live broken wire of 440 volts that was hanging loose. When her husband, Radhey Shyam Verma (55), saw her, he rushed to rescue her. But he too was seriously injured under the impact of the strong current. The couple was declared brought dead at the local hospital,” said Circle Officer (Rasara), Ajay Kumar Singh, adding that the couple used to cultivate vegetables and sell it in market.

“Officials from the power and other departments rushed to the site. They have assured rectification of the power line, besides extending monetary support to the victims’ family,” said Singh.

Inspector (Rasara) Sandeep Kumar Singh said an FIR under Section 304-A (causing death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the power department by Vijay Verma, the victims’ son.